McAnena Named Big Ten Offensive Player of the WeekSenior midfielder produces first OSU hat trick in seven years

Austin McAnena

Oct. 1, 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Austin McAnena, a senior midfielder on the Ohio State men's soccer team, was named the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday. Now the leading scorer of the Buckeyes, McAnena tallied seven points on the week as Ohio State downed Butler, 4-1, and dropped a double-overtime contest to Michigan, 3-2.

Against the Bulldogs, the Laguna Niguel, Calif., native netted three goals on three shots for his first career hat trick and the first for an OSU player since the 2005 season. He also notched an assist in the Buckeye's double overtime contest against the Wolverines, ending the week with a team-high nine points on the season (3g, 3a).

This is the second Big Ten weekly award for McAnena, who was named the offensive POW in October 2010 after foiling Akron's shutout streak and scoring the game-winner vs. Michigan State. Ohio State's last offensive player of the week was Chris Hegngi on Sept. 26, 2011.

Indiana's Luis Soffner received the weekly defensive award. The senior goalkeeper picked up his Big Ten-leading shutout and tallied 11 saves between two games last week.

The Buckeyes return to action at noon Sunday vs. Michigan State in Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.